Neko456"Boxing hands better the Karate hands poll. How many believe and train that boxing hands are better then Karate hands in the street?"

We are only talking about hands right? Not kicks, throws, grappling, etc?

I have to go with John on this. It's about the "delivery system" not the fist itself. I have done both boxing and MA. If we remove the hands from this entire equation, than all we are left with is body movement. I feel that boxer's train the "delivery system" of punches more effectively than MA. Boxer's focus on the "delivery system" while many MA get caught up in the several ways one can strike with their fist. What we call in kung fu a "snake strike" is nothing more than a boxer's jab with the fingertips extended out.

Maybe Neko, what also could be asked is "how many MA have gone to boxing gyms to learn punching skills compared to the number of boxer's who have gone to MA schools to learn punching skills?"

I must admit when I first looked at this thread I had to think in terms of all things being equal. That is why I voted for karate hands.The argument for boxing is centered around the idea that the majority of training is more realistic in terms of contact. However it is not that realistic to practice punching (no matter how hard) with your hands all neatly wrapped up and protected by big cushions. I personally know of a couple of boxers that have smashed their hands to pieces in real fights because of poor alignment and fist formation. Something that is taught very early on in any decent karate club.

Lets not get TOO excited. The definition of "potential" is: "Capable of being but not yet in existence". The "not yet in existence" part, you might want to pay attention to.

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The argument for boxing is centered around the idea that the majority of training is more realistic in terms of contact. However it is not that realistic to practice punching (no matter how hard) with your hands all neatly wrapped up and protected by big cushions.

So what you are basically saying is that after the boxer knocks the karateka's nose through the back of his skull, he'll have to deal with a broken hand.

I can accept that. It's a fight. You deal with any injuries afterward. However, it doesn't have to mean broken hands or injuries.

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I personally know of a couple of boxers that have smashed their hands to pieces in real fights because of poor alignment and fist formation. Something that is taught very early on in any decent karate club.

Ah yes, the "karateka" is taught how to properly align the fist structure. What they are often NOT taught is how to properly defend from having that poorly aligned fist from crashing through their p.iss poor defensive structure, where it then proceeds to realign their FACIAL structure.